Ending Racism Against The Indigenous People of Canada

Systemic racism against First Nations groups in Canada is a major problem. The following scripture is the very essence of systemic racism and oppression of the poorer elements of society, such as Indigenous peoples and immigrants.

Ecclesiastes 5:8 – “Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy.”

Despite the attempts made to remedy the historical mistakes from Canada’s past, racism against Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Aboriginals, Metis) still exists. The bible teaches us how this systemic racism can be broken and the solution lies within each of us, individually.

James 2:1 & 9, 12-13 – “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?… 9 If you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.”

The reason why systemic racism against Indigenous peoples still exists is because we haven’t changed our own perspective. We continue to adopt the same perspective as our forefathers. The term ‘forefathers’ includes but is not limited to explorers, pioneers; even ancestors such as our grandparents and parents. We do not see change in our society because we are still subscribing to our forefathers’ ways of thinking. The 'name' of our forefathers lives on in preceding generations when we follow their ways, views, philosophies and teachings. Society has handed us down a set of racist beliefs and we are condoning them by believing them and in turn, living by them.

Matthew 15:3 & 6 – He replied to them, And why also do you transgress and violate the commandment of God for the sake of the rules handed down to you by your forefathers? 6 So for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect].

We cannot believe in both the ways of our forefathers AND God’s ways. We must either believe in the culture and traditional philosophies that have been handed down to us by man. Or we must believe in the teachings and philosophies of Jesus.

The traditions and cultures handed down to us by our forefathers nullifies the word of God. This means their teachings are filled with iniquity and therefore, are contrary to the word of God. Thus nullifying the power of the word of God in our lives.

If we continue to subscribe to our forefathers, grandparents, countries and founders’ way of thinking, we will be guilty of the same judgment from God that awaits them. People today didn’t participate in the physical taking of this land. However, we are guilty of upholding their actions of racism and oppression when we continue to agree with what they did and the way they treated the Indigenous people. This in turn causes us to treat Indigenous peoples with the same contempt.

Racism and hate is taught. We have learned to hate from society, media, family, friends and even the Church. Our actions are based on our perspective. The pioneers and explorers of Canada had a negative perspective of Aboriginals as being inferior and savages. This perspective gave them the justification they needed to carry out horrendous crimes against the First Nations peoples. In the same way today, a dangerous perspective of Indigenous peoples as being ‘inferior’ and ‘burdens on society’, can also justify actions of racism and oppression against them.

Luke 11:48 – But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments!

We also join in the crime of abusing and oppressing the First Nations peoples when we glorify the pioneers and explorers of Canada, who oppresses, tricked and swindled the First Nations peoples out of their land.

Galatians 5:20-21 – idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Acts 17:26 – From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

This means that God sets the boundaries of each tribe and ethnicities’ land, and no one should move that marker to extend their own boundaries.

Deuteronomy 19:14 – Do not move your neighbor’s boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess.

The early settlers, pioneers and explorers falsely claimed this land as the new Israel in order to justify their horrendous acts. We must not believe the same distortions and manipulations of scripture as we will be punished just the same for doing so.
The North American continent is not the nation of Israel. Only the nation of Israel was promised such land. But even the Israelites could not extend their borders.

The establishment of Israel was a specific promise from God. It is not a free for all for any nation to extend their borders. Paul understood this concept since he preached to different Gentile nations, and never preached to extend a nations’ borders.

Paul preached about God to the Gentiles but he did not try to conquer them and take their land. This is the example the pioneers and explorers should have followed. They should have come to new lands, preached the gospel and returned home, being content with their own land.

King Hezekiah is an excellent example of what all followers of Christ should be doing, when he tells the people of Judah in:

2 Chronicles 29:6-7 – Our parents were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the Lord our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the Lord’s dwelling place and turned their backs on him. 7 They also shut the doors of the portico and put out the lamps. They did not burn incense or present any burnt offerings at the sanctuary to the God of Israel.”

King Hezekiah had no problem admitting the truth about how his parents, forefathers/ancestors acted wrongly. He refused to think the same way they did and by doing so, he did not commit their same wrong actions. He changed his way of thinking so as not to receive the same punishment.

Again, Hezekiah says in:

2 Chronicles 30:7 & 8 – Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. 8 Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you.”

We must undo the hate and indifference our society has taught us by changing our perspective on Indigenous peoples. Each person has to see Indigenous people as equal within themselves. Canada’s forefathers had an evil perspective on Indigenous people. Their intentions were covetous in nature and so they labelled the Indigenous people as inhuman, so that they could justify their oppression and take advantage of them.

The Bible clearly states that we are not to associate with such people. This means that we must not condone, think like or accept the philosophies of people, such as the ancestors who through covetousness and lies, stole this country.

1 Corinthians 5:11 – But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

Micah 2:1-3 – Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. 2 They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud people of their homes, they rob them of their inheritance. 3 Therefore, the Lord says: “I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.

First Nations communities are rife with poverty, depression, drug addiction, alcoholism, abuse and crime. If we were put into the same circumstances as the Indigenous people, we would be no different than they are today. Indigenous people are humans just like us. If any one of us experienced being forced off our land and into a desolate reservation, stripped of our culture and way of life and separated from our children or parents; if we were starved, abused, abandoned, oppressed and unemployed, our outcome would be the exact same. Their brokenness is a direct result and reflection of the circumstances that society has put them in. They are acting according to the way they have been treated and we must not fool ourselves into thinking that we would be any different if we were put into the exact same conditions.

The only way we can make sure that we are not included in the punishment that awaits those in the past who have oppressed the Indigenous people of Canada, is to admit that what was done to the Indigenous peoples was wrong and to change our perspective going forward. If we do not change our way of thinking and speak out against our country’s past actions of racism towards Indigenous people, we are condoning and upholding the acts of injustice and inequality. In God’s eyes, we will be equally as guilty as the founders and pioneers of Canada if we don’t change the way we think about our ancestors’ philosophies and in turn, the way we think about Indigenous people.

We must also change the way we look at the explorers and pioneers of Canada. Imagine if someone came into your home and took it over by force. Would you call that person a great explorer or pioneer? Would you build a road or statue in their name? Would you tell great stories about them to your children?

We shouldn’t be glorifying the actions of our forefathers. We hail them as great explorers and pioneers, but they were really thieves and murderers. They roamed the Earth to see what they could steal, plunder and conquer for selfish ambition and greed. It is no different than a thief roaming a neighborhood to see if there is anything of value to take/steal.

To make matters worse, they did it in the name of Jesus. The explorers of this land claimed their expeditions were to ‘save the savage’. If that were the case, they should have introduced Christianity and gone back to their own lands. Even after converting natives to Christianity, they were not treated equally like brothers; they were still oppressed. Indigenous Christians were not recognized as brothers nor were they shown any amount of Christian brotherly love.

As our perspective on Indigenous peoples change, so will our actions. Once we have achieved a balanced perspective, our decisions and actions towards Natives will also become balanced.

Doing what is right, however, should not depend on what the other person may do. Today may be the day that you finally decide to undo past thoughts of oppression and racism against Natives. You may even feel like embracing the next Native person you meet. But that doesn’t mean that the Native person has come to the same conclusions about you. They may still harbor feelings of hate from being oppressed, and we can’t blame them. Don’t let their reactions determine your willingness to change. After all, the change you are making is so that you can be accepted by God as his child and ultimately enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Your salvation should not depend on the thoughts and actions of others.

Our goal as Christians is to reflect Jesus Christ. Our identities should rest solely in Jesus; his ways, teachings, views and philosophies. To do this, we must rid ourselves of all other identities, whether racial, ethnic, social, cultural or traditional. This also includes the identities we receive from our mother, father, grandparents and ancestors. We must only see ourselves in Christ or as followers of Jesus and only him. Jesus cannot share the platform with anybody else. Our identity must only be in Christ and we must slowly erase all else. Otherwise, we are at risk of sinning like our forefathers, by glorifying them and their flawed ways. God taught the children of Israel not to glorify their forefathers and their history. They were meant to honestly examine their ancestors and history to recognize the flaws and mistakes of their past. Glorifying or even just focusing on only the good deeds of our ancestors causes us to walk in their flawed ways instead of Jesus’ perfect way. So that we do not repeat the sins of our forefathers, we must recognize, point out and dwell on their flaws and shortcomings. We must not glorify them in any way, shape or form. Only Jesus deserves such glory and honor.

The Jewish people were never taught to respect or glorify their forefathers and their history. They were meant to be realistic about their ancestors and their history and to recognize past mistakes and flaws so that future generations do not repeat it. They were not taught to only remember the good (which is what society teaches us; to respect and honor the dead. This concept is not a Biblical concept). Doing so will cause us to walk in our forefathers’ flawed ways instead of imitating Jesus’ ways.

They say ‘time heals everything’ but not with God. His anger will not subside and He doesn’t forgive and forget unless a person is truly repentant and willing to change. We must declare Canada’s history as wrong so that we are not included in God’s punishment.

Our hearts should reflect that of Jeremiah 3:25

“Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our ancestors; from our youth till this day we have not obeyed the LORD our God.”

Dave L said:

Pope will not apologize for abuse in Canada's indigenous schools

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Not good.

Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Norbert L said:

So what do you think about the points Brandon Tatum and Jordan Peterson are making here.

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Is there anyway you can just break it down for me quickly so I do not have to watch it. Just Like a quick breakdown of your opinion of the video.

Norbert L said:

Here's a summary.

Jordan B. Peterson explains why the concept of white privilege being taught in higher education is actually another racist political ideology. Brandon Tatum goes on to state that it is already totally possible for a black person to become successful in America today.

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I see. I guess what I’m talking about is different I’m not talking about Black people becoming rich white people being rich. I am merely stating that the white people need to understand that what took place in this continent is wrong and was done out of greed. And that we should not be glorifying The original Pioneers philosophies and ideologies about Black people or native people. This connection to the pioneers way of thinking is what causes the racism.

Norbert L said:

I would find odd to believe that indigenous natives cannot become successful here in Canada already, because of my experience working in the custom automotive business. Natives as well as other PoC can plop down tens if not hundred of thousands dollars to work on their cars. Never mind the mansions they live in.

Too edit in and make the above more clear. It's not whatever version of history that a person subscribes to, which will automatically make them lose or gain their financial privileges today. There's far more to that issue than just what the pioneers wrote and what people call white privilege.

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It looks like you’re not reading what I’m saying I am not speaking of money in anyway shape or form. I am speaking about the way that we think of the native people even though they may be Christian we do not view them as equal review them as different kind of savage that is the view I’ve heard from many people. Obviously they don’t go around publicizing this view but if you speak to them on a personal level that is what the majority of people feel about them and this or these kinds of views Have been passed down from generation to generation. But once again I’m not speaking about money this is not the standard of everything.

Norbert L said:

It can be one standard to determine whether or not a nation is guilty of racism. That's the accusation against Canada in the tile of this thread!

Have people forgotten what happened to the Jews in Nazi Germany? That country was racist against Jews. What happened to those Jews and their money? Millions of them were murdered and all their wealth/money was taken from them.

Canadian domestic policies allows individuals from all it's communities not only to keep their wealth, but also become rich and influential! The accusation that it is racist against its' indigenous nations and communities is wrong.

The question that needs asking is why are some natives living in Canada rather wealthy while numerous others are living in poverty? It's not because of racism.

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Once again I’m stating it’s not about money. The point of what I’m saying is that the other ethnicities have to change the way they view natives and not have their thinking linked to the way their fore fathers viewed natives Who made many distinctions In order to justify taking this land. We must make sure that we do not subscribe to this type of thinking but rather declare them as wrong and not glorify them and their actions since their actions were against the word of God.

Norbert L said:

I'm no mind reader, sounds like a boogey man, do you have an actual experience you've been involved in? Like one of the most insulting racial slurs I heard come out of a co-worker in the 80's was an east Indian from Punjab describe black ethnicities facial features. And that was directed towards one of the other black guys working there behind his back! Oddly this east Indian always helped the other guy when he needed a hand and the two of them seemed to get along. Life is strange here, but Canada is not a racist country. That doesn't deny there are going to be racial incidents either. Would seem to make common sense with 30+ million people odds are they will happen.

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No I’m only talking about the way that we think about the early pioneers and explorers that took this country or continent. When I read the Bible I see that many of our views towards native peoples have come from or been handed down to us from the early pioneers the people that took this no country or continent. When I read the Bible I see that many of our views towards native peoples have come from or been handed down to us from the early pioneers or the people that took this land and I can see in the Bible that if I thought align with what has been passed down to us instead of the teachings of Jesus we are as guilty as they are.

Norbert L said:

What views would they be more precisely, can you identify them? Just saying racist this and racist that in broad political strokes, can leave an impression of the life lessons found in the story the boy who cried wolf. One of which is the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

I would suggest examining the problems in as many details as possible. Like why are some natives prospering whereby they're driving late model top of the line SUVs and living in large beautiful homes, while others live in poverty that approaches third world conditions? The underlined points you brought up in your comment is lacking in explanatory power. Fill in the details.

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I am not trying to help the native people, I am trying to help the white people. If I were trying to help the native people, I would be writing about forgiveness (maybe the topic of my next blog post).

In this post, I aim to help the white race so that they are not condemned to the same fate as their ancestors who conquered this land. By thinking less of the native people and justifying the taking of this land, one would thereby be aligning their thoughts with the original pioneers, explorers and settlers, who took this land out of covetousness and not through the teachings of Jesus.

If they wished to truly spread the word (which now we know was not their true intention), they should have come here, preached the gospel to the natives (not force it upon them) and then left to go back home. If they wished to stay as sojourners in this land, they should have asked the native people for permission and if granted, stayed. But not take over the house, force the original owners into the basement (take over their land and confine them onto reservations).

In order to justify taking the people's lands, they thought of the native peoples as savages and inhuman pagans, so that they could exempt them from being even a neighbour, as per the Bible. If they were so inhuman, why were they even attempting to teach them the Gospel. We don't teach animals the scriptures, do we?

Unqualified said:

Native peoples are not less than us in some ways they are better. I have changed my thinking. What we have done negates all the good we have tried to do. It is all at the expense of the native peoples here. We took their land treated them badly and are only now improving their condition with money from casinos. White privilege is bunk. It’s been put in place by violence. There are opportunities in the white world for all if you work in the system. But the black and natives culture is suppressed. They don’t want us here we should have left, but they didn’t have guns. We got what we deserved but they didn’t. Who ever said white civilization takes precedence. Christians settledin NA but the English developed it. Did they accept as from God their government? Now what do native North Americans think about the one world gov which is forming? Lincoln was a good man but he didn’t go far enough.

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Thank you for your comments I enjoyed reading them.

Norbert L said:

Like when the Jesuit missionaries were being treated as guests by one group of natives. They came to understand that native justice likewise believed in the general rule of an eye for an eye justice same as Christians? But rather than burn the guilty at the stake as a means for capital punishment, the native's would slowly burn their guilty to death over the coarse of several days? It's rather easy to be convinced that natives were barbarians and savages, plus that implementation of justice by natives could easily be described as torture.

Iroquois torture - Everything2.com

Personally I wouldn't want live in a country where they believe that people found guilty of deserving death need to be more cruelly executed.

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You’re judging those outside the church. Paul states to judge those inside the church not those outside the church. This can be found in first Corinthians 5:12. This makes sense since the native people did not know the teachings of Jesus how can they be touched by it. But the early settlers in pain he didn’t know the Bible didn’t know the teachings of Jesus and yet disobeyed it. As a Christian we can’t have the mentality of they did it first meaning they committed murder for us and how we can commit murder. Jesus that we are the light of the world that means we know the truth and they do not yet the early pioneers who knew the truth twisted it due to greed for land.